The Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship 2026 took place in Kuala Lumpur from 17th to 19th July 2026, with Arthur Chang of 67 Pall Mall Singapore emerging as Malaysia’s Best Sommelier. Chang delivered the competition’s strongest all-round performance, taking home the Champion title alongside Best in Theory, Best in Service and the Cepas de Chile Award. Chin Voon Ping, Head Sommelier at Potager Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, finished as First Runner-Up and received the Best in Blind Tasting Award, while Aaron Liew, Senior Sales Executive at Grand Vin Pte Ltd in Singapore, placed Second Runner-Up. The inaugural Best Foreign Sommelier Award went to Daisuke Kawai, Wine & F&B Director of Daisuke Kawai Pte Ltd.
Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship 2026
Organised by the Sommelier Association of Malaysia, the three-day championship brought together 11 competitors, comprising nine Malaysians and two international sommeliers. This year’s expanded eligibility included Malaysian sommeliers working overseas and international participants, reflecting the increasingly regional nature of the profession. Competitors faced written theory, blind tasting and practical service examinations over the first two days, alongside the Cepas de Chile Cup sponsored by the Embassy of Chile in Malaysia. Chang, Chin and Liew progressed to the Grand Final on 19th July.
The finalists completed eight challenges before a live audience, comprising six individual tasks and two team exercises. These covered beverage inspection, wine and beverage service, blind tasting, food and beverage pairing, theory, communication, teamwork and decision-making under pressure. The format placed equal weight on knowledge and execution, requiring competitors to communicate clearly, manage service and respond to unfamiliar situations in real time. Chang’s consistency across these disciplines ultimately separated him from the field.
The championship was assessed by a six-member panel led by Britt Ng, Wine Director of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The panel also included Lesley Liu of Odette, Wong Yin How of Vintry Cellars, Ronald Binati of UCSI University, Daniel Chong of Sunway University and Justin Ho of Park90, who also served as Co-Technical Director. They were supported by fellow Co-Technical Director Danny Leong, President of the Sommelier Association of Malaysia.
Cepas De Chile Award
The Cepas de Chile Award recognises knowledge and appreciation of Chilean wines. Sponsored by the Embassy of Chile in Malaysia, the trophy was presented to Chang by Jaime Muñoz Sandoval, Ambassador of Chile to Malaysia, as part of the embassy’s continued support for wine education and professional development in the country. Malaysia Best Sommelier Champion 2024 Yong Yi Ying also completed selected Grand Final tasks as preparation for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World Competition in Lisbon later this year. Yong, who finished First Runner-Up at the ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific 2025, used the championship as further practice under competition conditions while offering this year’s finalists a clearer view of the standard required at an international level.
A Stronger Competitive Landscape
Malaysia’s sommelier community remains relatively small, but its competitive standard has continued to rise as more professionals gain experience in Singapore and other established wine markets. Allowing overseas-based Malaysians and foreign sommeliers to participate creates a more demanding environment while connecting the national championship to the wider industry.
“The Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship represents the highest benchmark of professional excellence for sommeliers in Malaysia. This year’s competitors demonstrated exceptional technical ability, professionalism and dedication to their craft. The introduction of international participation has further elevated the standard of competition and reflects Malaysia’s growing role within the global wine and hospitality community. On behalf of SOMLAY, I congratulate Arthur Chang and every competitor for their outstanding performances.” — Danny Leong, President of the Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY).
For Chang, the win was recognition of his performance as well as a measure of the work still ahead. “I’ve learnt a lot over the past couple of days, and I’ve realised that I still need to continue striving for better performance,” he said, thanking his mother, his seniors at 67 Pall Mall and the Master Sommeliers who contributed to his training.
Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship 2026 Results
Champion: Arthur Chang
First Runner-Up: Chin Voon Ping
Second Runner-Up: Aaron Liew
Cepas de Chile Award: Arthur Chang
Best in Theory Award: Arthur Chang
Best in Service Award: Arthur Chang
Best in Blind Tasting Award: Chin Voon Ping
Best Foreign Sommelier Award: Daisuke Kawai